Switching mechanism for a pedal exerciser

ABSTRACT

A pedal exerciser includes a shaft rotatably mounted to a shaft coupling portion of a base. Two pedal rods are mounted on two ends of the shaft. A non-automatic mechanism is mounted to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft. An automatic mechanism is mounted to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft. The automatic mechanism includes a power source. A switching mechanism includes a driving wheel coupled to the shaft. The driving wheel is mounted around the shaft and located between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism. The driving wheel is movable between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism to control engagement/disengagement of the driving wheel with/from the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism, allowing switching between a non-automatic mode and an automatic mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pedal exerciser and, more particularly, to a pedal exerciser including a switching mechanism to provide both of automatic and non-automatic modes while allowing reliable switching between the automatic and non-automatic modes.

Indoor exercisers are popular in modern societies by providing exercising effects without going to the outside. The exercisers also provide rehabilitation functions for patients or people having difficulty in getting about.

A pedal exerciser generally includes a pedaling device providing a pedaling function like a bicycle and a mat on which a user can sit or lie while proceeding with pedaling with his or her hands or legs. The pedaling device is either of automatic or non-automatic type. Specifically, in a non-automatic type pedal exerciser, the user pedals the pedaling device with his or her legs or hands. In an automatic type pedal exerciser, two pedals of the pedaling device are rotated by a power source, and the legs or hands of the user placed on the pedals can be moved along with the rotating pedals, providing a rehabilitation effect in a force-saving mode. However, conventional pedal exercisers can provide only one mode, not both.

Thus, a need exists for a novel pedal exerciser providing both of automatic and non-automatic modes while allowing reliable switching between the automatic and non-automatic modes.

p BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a pedal exerciser providing both of automatic and non-automatic modes while allowing reliable switching between the automatic and non-automatic modes.

A pedal exerciser according to the present invention includes a base having a shaft coupling portion. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the shaft coupling portion and includes two ends outside of the base. Two pedal rods are mounted on the ends of the shaft. The shaft further includes an annular toothed portion on an intermediate portion thereof between the ends of the shaft. A non-automatic mechanism is mounted to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft. The non-automatic mechanism includes a first coupling portion. An automatic mechanism is mounted to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft. The automatic mechanism includes a power source and a second coupling portion. A switching mechanism includes a driving wheel having a central hole. The central hole of the driving wheel includes a toothed inner periphery meshed with the annular toothed portion of the shaft. The driving wheel is mounted around the shaft and located between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism. A first engagement portion is provided on a first side of the driving wheel. A second engagement portion is provided on a second side of the driving wheel. The driving wheel is movable between first and second position between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism.

When the driving wheel is in the first position, the first engagement portion of the driving wheel engages with the first coupling portion of the non-automatic mechanism, and the second engagement portion of the driving wheel disengages from the second coupling portion of the automatic mechanism. The pedal exerciser is in a non-automatic mode.

When the driving wheel is in the second position, the first engagement portion of the driving wheel disengages from the first coupling portion of the non-automatic mechanism, and the second engagement portion of the driving wheel engages with the second coupling portion of the automatic mechanism. The pedal exerciser is in an automatic mode, and the shaft can be driven by the power source.

Preferably, the non-automatic mechanism includes a first wheel having a through-hole. The shaft is rotatably received in the through-hole of the first wheel. The first coupling portion is provided on a side of the first wheel and includes a plurality of first coupling holes. The first engagement portion of the driving wheel of the switching mechanism includes a plurality of first pegs releasably engaged with the plurality of first coupling holes.

Preferably, the driving wheel includes a coupling groove in an outer periphery thereof. The switching mechanism further includes an actuation member having an engagement portion engaged in the coupling groove of the driving wheel. The actuation member is actuatable to move the driving wheel along the shaft to cause engagement/disengagement of the first and second engagement portions with/from the first and second coupling portions. The switching mechanism further includes a control device coupled to the actuation member and operable to actuate the actuation member.

Preferably, the non-automatic mechanism further includes a second wheel, a first belt, and a damping device. The second wheel is rotatably mounted to the base. The first belt is mounted around the first and second wheels. The second wheel can be driven by the first wheel via the first belt. The damping device is mounted to the base and includes a resistance wheel and a magnetic control seat. The resistance wheel is jointly rotatable with the second wheel. The magnetic control seat is mounted to a side of the resistance wheel and operable to control a resistance of the resistance wheel.

Preferably, the automatic mechanism includes a third wheel driven by the power source. The third wheel includes a through-hole. The shaft is rotatably received in the through-hole of the third wheel. The second coupling portion is provided on the third wheel includes a plurality of second coupling holes. The second coupling portion is spaced from the first coupling portion along the rotating axis of the shaft. The second engagement portion of the driving wheel of the switching mechanism includes a plurality of second pegs releasably engaged with the plurality of second coupling holes.

Preferably, the automatic mechanism further includes a fourth wheel and a second belt. The power source includes a motor operable by a controller to drive the fourth wheel. The second belt is mounted around the third and fourth wheels. The third wheel can be driven by the fourth wheel via the second belt.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a switching mechanism for a pedal exerciser according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the switching mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the switching mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a pedal exerciser including the switching mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial, side view of the switching mechanism in a non-automatic mode.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with the switching mechanism in an automatic mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a pedal exerciser according to the present invention includes a base 1, a shaft 2, a non-automatic mechanism 3, an automatic mechanism 4, and a switching mechanism 5. The base 1 includes a shaft coupling portion 11 at two sides thereof.

The shaft 2 is rotatably mounted to the shaft coupling portion 11 of the base 1 and includes two ends outside of the base 1. Two pedal rods 21 (FIG. 4) are mounted on the ends of the shaft 2. The shaft 2 includes an annular toothed portion 22 on an intermediate portion thereof between the ends of the shaft 2. The non-automatic mechanism 3 is mounted to the base 1 and releasably coupled to the shaft 2. The non-automatic mechanism 3 includes a first wheel 31, a second wheel 32, a first belt 33, and a damping device 34. The first wheel 31 includes teeth 311 on an outer periphery thereof. The first wheel 31 further has a through-hole 312 in a central portion thereof. The shaft 2 is rotatably received in the through-hole 312 of the first wheel 31. A first coupling portion 313 is provided on a side of the first wheel 31 and includes a plurality of first coupling holes 314 around a rotating axis of the shaft 2. The second wheel 32 is rotatably mounted to the base 1 and includes teeth 321 on an outer periphery thereof. The first belt 33 includes teeth 331 on an inner periphery thereof and is mounted around the first and second wheels 31 and 32. The second wheel 32 can be driven by the first wheel 31 via the first belt 33. The damping device 34 is mounted to the base 1 and includes a resistance wheel 341 and a magnetic control seat 342. The resistance wheel 341 is jointly rotatable with the second wheel 32. The magnetic control seat 342 is mounted to a side of the resistance wheel 341 and operable to control a resistance of the resistance wheel 341 by a controller.

The automatic mechanism 4 is mounted to the base 1 and releasably coupled to the shaft 2. The automatic mechanism 4 includes a power source 41, a third wheel 43 driven by the power source 41, a fourth wheel 42, and a second belt 44. The power source 41 includes a motor 411 operable by a controller to drive the fourth wheel 42 via a reduction gear train. The fourth wheel 42 includes teeth 421 on an outer periphery hereof. The third wheel 43 includes teeth 431 on an outer periphery thereof. The third wheel 43 further includes a through-hole 432 in a central portion thereof. The shaft 2 is rotatably received in the through-hole 432 of the third wheel 43. A second coupling portion 433 is provided on a side of the third wheel 43 and includes a plurality of second coupling holes 434 around the rotating axis of the shaft 2. The second coupling portion 433 is spaced from the first coupling portion 313 along the rotating axis of the shaft 2. The second belt 44 includes teeth 441 on an inner periphery thereof and is mounted around the third and fourth wheels 43 and 42. The third wheel 43 can be driven by the fourth wheel 42 via the second belt 44.

The switching mechanism 5 includes a driving wheel 51, an actuation member 52, and a control device 53 coupled to the actuation member 52 and operable to actuate the actuation member 52. The driving wheel 51 has a central hole 511. The central hole 511 of the driving wheel 51 includes a toothed inner periphery 512 meshed with the annular toothed portion 22 of the shaft 2. The driving wheel 51 is mounted around the shaft 2 and located between the non-automatic mechanism 3 and the automatic mechanism 4. A first engagement portion 513 is provided on a first side of the driving wheel 51, and a second engagement portion 514 is provided on a second side of the driving wheel 51. The first engagement portion 513 of the driving wheel 51 includes a plurality of first pegs 5131 releasably engaged with the first coupling holes 314. The second engagement portion 514 of the driving wheel 51 includes a plurality of second pegs 5141 releasably engaged with the second coupling holes 434. The driving wheel 51 further includes a coupling groove 515 in the outer periphery thereof. The actuation member 52 has an engagement portion 521 engaged in the coupling groove 515 of the driving wheel 51. The actuation member 52 can be actuated by the control device 53 to move the driving wheel 51 along the rotating axis of shaft 2 to cause engagement/disengagement of the first and second engagement portions 513, 514 with/from the first and second coupling portions 313, 433. The driving wheel 51 is movable is between first and second position between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism.

The pedal exerciser further includes a seat 6 at a rear end thereof. A user can sit or lie on the seat 6 while using the pedal exerciser. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, when the driving wheel 51 in the first position, the first pegs 5131 of the first engagement portion 513 of the driving wheel 51 engage with the first coupling holes 314 of the first coupling portion 313 of the first wheel 31 of the non-automatic mechanism 3. The second engagement portion 514 of the driving wheel 51 disengages from the second coupling portion 433 of the automatic mechanism 4. Thus, the pedal exerciser is in a non-automatic mode. The user can rotate the pedal rods 21 with his or her legs or hands, causing rotation of the shaft 2. The first wheel 31 is driven to rotate through transmission of the first wheel 51. The first wheel 31 can drive the second wheel 32 and the resistance wheel 341 to provide an exercising effect. The automatic mechanism 4 does not operate in the non-automatic mode, and the third wheel 43 does not rotate.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, when the driving wheel 51 is moved to the second position by the actuation member 52 through operation of the control device 53, the first engagement portion 513 of the driving wheel 51 disengages from the first coupling portion 313 of the non-automatic mechanism 3. The second pegs 5141 of the second engagement portion 514 of the driving wheel 51 engage with the second coupling holes 434 of the second coupling portion 433 of the automatic mechanism 4. Thus, the pedal exerciser is in an automatic mode, and the shaft 2 can driven by the motor 411 of the power source 41 through transmission by the fourth wheel 42, the second belt 44, the third wheel 43, and the driving wheel 51. The user can place his hands or legs on the pedal rods 21 and driven by the pedal rods 21, providing a force-saving effect as well as a rehabilitating effect.

In view of the foregoing, the pedal exerciser provides both of automatic and non-automatic modes, providing enhanced utility while allowing easy operation. The pedal exerciser does not have to include the damping device 34. Furthermore, the third wheel 43 can be directly driven by the power source 41 without using the fourth wheel 42. Further, the actuation member 52 can be manually operated.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims. 

1. A pedal exerciser comprising: a base including a shaft coupling portion; a shaft rotatably mounted to the shaft coupling portion and including two ends outside of the base, with two pedal rods mounted on the two ends of the shaft, with the shaft further including an annular toothed portion on an intermediate portion thereof between the two ends of the shaft; a non-automatic mechanism mounted to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft, with the non-automatic mechanism including a first coupling portion; an automatic mechanism mounted to the base and releasably coupled to the shaft, with the automatic mechanism including a power source and a second coupling portion; and a switching mechanism including a driving wheel having a central hole, with the central hole of the driving wheel including a toothed inner periphery meshed with the annular toothed portion of the shaft, with the driving wheel mounted around the shaft and located between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism, with the driving wheel further including first and second sides, with a first engagement portion provided on the first side of the driving wheel, with a second engagement portion provided on the second side of the driving wheel, with the driving wheel movable between first and second position between the non-automatic mechanism and the automatic mechanism, with the driving wheel in the first position, the first engagement portion of the driving wheel engages with the first coupling portion of the non-automatic mechanism, the second engagement portion of the driving wheel disengages from the second coupling portion of the automatic mechanism, and the pedal exerciser is in a non-automatic mode, and with the driving wheel in the second position, the first engagement portion of the driving wheel disengages from the first coupling portion of the non-automatic mechanism, the second engagement portion of the driving wheel engages with the second coupling portion of the automatic mechanism, the pedal exerciser is in an automatic mode, and the shaft driven by the power source.
 2. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 1, with the non-automatic mechanism including a first wheel having a through-hole, with the shaft rotatably received in the through-hole of the first wheel, with the first coupling portion provided on a side of the first wheel, with the first coupling portion including a plurality of first coupling holes, with the first engagement portion of the driving wheel of the switching mechanism including a plurality of first pegs releasably engaged with the plurality of first coupling holes.
 3. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 1, with the driving wheel including a coupling groove in an outer periphery thereof, with the switching mechanism further including an actuation member having an engagement portion engaged in the coupling groove of the driving wheel, with the actuation member actuatable to move the driving wheel along the shaft to cause engagement/disengagement of the first and second engagement portions with/from the first and second coupling portions, with the switching mechanism further including a control device coupled to the actuation member, with the control device operable to actuate the actuation member.
 4. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 1, with the non-automatic mechanism further including a second wheel, a first belt, and a damping device, with the second wheel rotatably mounted to the base, with the first belt mounted around the first and second wheels, with the second wheel driven by the first wheel via the first belt, with the damping device mounted to the base and including a resistance wheel and a magnetic control seat, with the resistance wheel jointly rotatable with the second wheel, with the magnetic control seat mounted to a side of the resistance wheel, with the magnetic control seat operable to control a resistance of the resistance wheel.
 5. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 4, with the automatic mechanism including a third wheel driven by the power source, with the third wheel including a through-hole, with the shaft rotatably received in the through-hole of the third wheel, with the second coupling portion provided on the third wheel, with the second coupling portion including a plurality of second coupling holes, with the second coupling portion spaced from the first coupling portion along the rotating axis of the shaft, with the second engagement portion of the driving wheel of the switching mechanism including a plurality of second pegs releasably engaged with the plurality of second coupling holes.
 6. The pedal exerciser as claimed in claim 5, with the automatic mechanism further including a fourth wheel and a second belt, with the power source including a motor operable by a controller to drive the fourth wheel, with the second belt mounted around the third and fourth wheels, with the third wheel driven by the fourth wheel via the second belt. 